Vetting plans for parents are scaled down by ministers

Theresa May has pledged to change 'fundamentally' the deeply unpopular Vetting and Barring Scheme

Ministers slammed the brakes last night on Labour's controversial scheme to force millions of parents to undergo anti-paedophile and criminal records checks.

Home Secretary Theresa May pledged to change 'fundamentally' the deeply unpopular Vetting and Barring Scheme which was due to expand dramatically from next month - but she stopped short of scrapping it entirely.

The plans for new registrations from July 26 have been scrapped and Home Office officials are working out how the scheme will be scaled down.

Nine million adults were due to undergo intrusive checks by a new government agency, the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

But there was outrage after it emerged parents taking their children to Scouts or sports events could face fines of up to £5,000 if they failed to comply.

The scheme, which was designed to protect children and vulnerable adults, prompted major civil liberties concerns over its size and intrusion into private lives.

Last night Mrs May said checks on vulnerable groups should be 'proportionate and sensible'.

She said: 'The safety of children and vulnerable adults is of paramount importance to the new Government.

'However it is also vital that we take a measured approach in these matters. We've listened to the criticisms and will respond with a scheme that has been fundamentally remodelled.

'Vulnerable groups must be properly protected in a way that is proportionate and sensible.

'This redrawing of the VBS will ensure this happens.'

Civil liberties groups welcomed the move, but urged Mrs May to abolish the scheme entirely.